Apple filed suit against OpenAI on July 10, 2026, accusing the artificial intelligence company of misappropriating trade secrets and breaching contracts to accelerate its nascent hardware ambitions. The complaint, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, names OpenAI, its Chief Hardware Officer Tang Tan, former Apple engineer Chang Liu, and the device startup io Products as defendants.
July 10, 2026 · N.D. California
Apple Sues OpenAI Over Alleged Trade-Secret Theft
Apple accuses OpenAI of misappropriating confidential hardware secrets and breaching contracts to jump-start its nascent device ambitions — a striking reversal for two firms that partnered with fanfare just two years ago.
4
defendants named: OpenAI, io Products, Tang Tan, Chang Liu
$6.5B
OpenAI's acquisition of io Products, founded by ex-Apple chief Jony Ive
24 yrs
Tang Tan's tenure at Apple, leading iPhone & Watch design
From Partnership to Lawsuit — a Two-Year Arc
JUN 2024
ChatGPT integrated into Apple Intelligence across iOS, iPadOS & macOS
→
2025
Relations sour; OpenAI moves into hardware, Apple adds Google Gemini
→
FEB 2026
Apple sends warning letter — goes unanswered
→
JUL 10, 2026
Apple files suit in N.D. California, demands jury trial
What Apple Alleges
OpenAI pressed departing Apple staff to share details of confidential projects
Directed exiting employees to bring in components and prototypes of unreleased devices
Coached staff on evading Apple's security measures and the standard exit process
Chang Liu downloaded internal documents and passed them to OpenAI
Stolen information used to approach Apple's manufacturing partners for metal-finishing demos
Apple's Demands
An injunction against OpenAI
Return of its intellectual property
Redesign of products to exclude Apple technology
A jury trial
OpenAI's Response
Has "no interest in other companies' trade secrets" and remains "focused on building innovative technology that empowers people everywhere." Observers note Apple faces a high bar in proving misappropriation.
Why it matters: Described as a "blockbuster" suit, the case could reshape competition in AI talent, intellectual property, and next-generation AI devices. Product specs, pricing, and release timing for OpenAI's hardware effort remain undisclosed — an adverse ruling could deal a meaningful blow to those plans.
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